Constantinople (ensemble)

Constantinople
Background information
OriginMontreal, Quebec, Canada
GenresWorld music
Years active2001-present
LabelsATMA Classique, Analekta
Websitehttps://constantinople.ca/en
JUNO Awards - Winner of the Best Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble)

Constantinople is a Montreal-based early music and middle eastern music ensemble. The group was formed in 1988 by brothers Kiya Tabassian (setar) and Ziya Tabassian (tombak). The sétar and tombak are complemented by viola da gamba, renaissance cornett, and daf.[1][2][3]

In its creations, Constantinople collaborates with prominent figures in the music industry such as Kayhan Kalhor, Ablaye Cissoko, Ghalia Benali, Françoise Atlan, Hana Blažíková, Shashank Subramanyam, and Marco Beasley.

Constantinople produces three or four new works each year and travels to collaborate with top musicians based on project requirements. These creations form the regular season presented in Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, and Toronto. Subsequently, the works are featured in performance tours across Canada and internationally. Some of these creations are also recorded. Over the years, Constantinople has developed nearly 60 creations, with 22 being recorded, and has toured in more than 290 cities across 57 countries.

Two of its most recent creations include "Traversées," featuring Ablaye Cissoko, and "Chants d'Espoir" with Kayhan Kalhor.[4]

In 2024, the Constantinople ensemble won the 2024 JUNO Awards for the Best Classical Album of the Year (Small Ensemble) with Il Ponte di Leonardo.

  1. ^ Goldberg: Early Music Magazine - Issues 38-39 -2006 - Page 83 "This anthology provides an excellent introduction to Alma's Constantinople collection, which, with the release of "Carrefour de la Mediterranee" featuring the Greek ensemble En Chordais as well as Kiya Tabassian's Ensemble ...
  2. ^ Linda Ainouche - 2011 Le tour d'Asie à Montréal 2896653945 - Page 18 Ensemble Constantinople www.myspace.com/constantinopleensemble En 1998, les frères Ziya et Kiya Tabassian ont lancé un groupe qui explore un large répertoire. La musique savante de la Perse, celle du Moyen Âge et de la Renaissance en Europe, ainsi que des œuvres contemporaines, sont métissées pour donner un son si particulier, plein de couleurs, de tendresse et de punch! L'Ensemble Constantinople joue des instruments typiquement iraniens : le sétar, le tombak, la viole de gambe, le cornet à bouquins, le daf. Leurs représentations laissent libre cours à l'improvisation et à la création. Extraordinaire
  3. ^ Early Music America: The Magazine of Historical Performance 2002 Azema is known also for her work with Constantinople, another very active Montreal ensemble. Formed by the brothers Kiya Tabassian (setar) and Ziya Tabassian (tombak) of Iranian origin, the ensemble takes a very personal approach to the "
  4. ^ "Traversées". Constantinople. Retrieved 2024-01-04.